Halibut, California

It is much smaller than the larger and more northern-ranging Pacific halibut that can reach 300 pounds (140 kg). Anatomically, this species may be distinguished from other flatfishes by observing that: the lateral line has a high abrupt arch in front, not just curving upward; the pectoral fin on the eyed side of the body is shorter than the head; the maxillary bone reaches to the hind border of the lower eye or beyond it; the dorsal and anal fins slope gradually up to and down from their greatest height; the color is uniform greenish brown, sometimes mottled with darker and lighter shades on the eyed side; the blind side is white; and the fish obtains a weight not greater than sixty pounds, the majority ranging from six to twenty pounds.